A note about Campus Crime Alert 2014-10-31

Submitted by kmciver on Fri, 10/31/2014 - 15:46

Some readers have expressed concern about the use of the phrase "burglary" in the Campus Crime Alert sent on 2014-10-31. An explanation and apology:

The word was used not to categorize the crime, but as a descriptor, synonymous with "break-in" to generally set the stage for the detail of the incident that was provided. A person broke into a residence, and then committed other crimes that are described. In the online version, the word has been replaced by "incident."

There was absolutely no intent to minimize the very disturbing situation, which involved the violation of a person's personal space and touching without consent, in addition to stealing money. The gravity of the incident and its details is why Eugene Police issued a news release, and why UOPD issued a crime alert despite the incident occurring off campus.

Since this incident occurred off of university property and outside of the institution's Clery Act boundaries, it cannot be included in UO crime statistics. Since it is not a UOPD case, the UO is not involved in any way in categorizing the incident or determining the charges that would be brought against the suspect. As EPD's news release details, legal probable cause exists for the crimes of Physical Harassment, Burglary in the First Degree, and Theft in the Second Degree.

We sincerely apologize to anyone who felt that the wording of the notice overlooked the seriousness of the survivor's experience.